Maltese Poodles, or as they are commonly known Maltipoos make a great family pet because they are small, have great personalities, and are hypoallergenic. These dogs are often recommended if you are a first-time novice pet parent, due to their easy-going personalities. Maltipoo is considered a good pet for people who want a pet but are constricted by apartment rules because they don’t require large spaces.
Maltipoos, which are also called moodles, is a mixed breed, a combination of part poodle and part Maltese terrier. Maltipoos are designer dogs, which are a relatively new breed.
Maltese terriers are small dogs, weighing around 8 pounds. Thanks to their small size, they generally are bred with Toy or Miniature poodles. The resulting offspring, the Maltipoo, generally falls around the size range between 8 and 14 inches tall, these typically weigh around 5 to 20 pounds.
This article will help you understand some things you need to know before adopting a cute and fluffy Maltipoo. Let’s begin with the pros of owning a Maltipoo, then make our way to the cons.
Pros of Owning a Maltese Poodle
Gentle Temperament (However, Might Not Be Great with Young Children)
A Maltipoo is a great family pet thanks to the breed’s friendly temperament. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean they will play well with young children. The dog might not be able to respond well to younger kids because their exuberance frightened him. The Maltipoo can get terrified of small children because the children have a tendency to hit the dog with toys or place their hands on the dog’s face.
If you get a Maltipoo and he happens to be fearful of young children, you must keep a close eye on him when younger children are around to ensure they don’t hurt him and to make sure your dog doesn’t bite the kids as an act of self-defense. The gentle and sensitive personalities of Maltipoo are a double-edged sword, they can be both a pro and a con.
Non-Shedders
If you cringe at the idea of dog hair on your couch and beds, a Maltipoo is a good option you can consider.
Hypoallergenic
As Maltipoos do not shed hair, they instantly become b good option if anyone in your house suffers from allergies. However, despite Maltipoos being considered to be hypoallergenic dogs, they are still likely to shed skin cells, which can cause an allergic reaction, in a few people. To put it bluntly, no dog is completely hypoallergenic.
Cons of Owning a Maltese Poodle
Fur Care
Probably one of the biggest disadvantages of owning a Maltipoo is its thick coat. The dog’s eyes also seem to disappear when their hair grows over their eyes. Taking care of your dog’s fur will be a big challenge despite using hair care products like detanglers and other stuff. Dealing with matting in the dog’s fur will make you feel as if you are playing a game of whack-a-mole, as new mats continually appear. What’s even worse is that your dog might hate being brushed. Removing matting can be a painful experience for your dog, even if you are using the right tools.
Matting in the dog’s hair is not just unsightly, it causes further health complications. These mats affect blood circulation and trap moisture. This usually leads to irritation accompanied by sores on the dog’s skin. Mats can also be used as a hiding place by parasites such as fleas as well as ticks, which bring a host of different problems. Preventing mats is a crucial part of maintaining your dog’s health.
You can opt to get your dog’s hair cut very short to limit the number of mats that develop between appointments. It might cost you around $80 for grooming. If you read through this and think that dealing with a thick Maltipoo coat will be too overwhelming, you should look at the cost of grooming before bringing one into your home.
Eye Discharge
An important issue to consider is that Maltipoos experience discharge from their eyes, which leads to crusty buildup that gets stuck in the fur at the corner of their eyes.
You have to remove this crusty gunk using a washcloth and warm water. Once the water softens, you have to pull it out of his fur. This process must be done about twice a week or it can be done when you bathe him. However, in some Maltipoos, this discharge stains their fur which makes them look like reddish-colored tear stains running down the sides of their faces. Don’t panic, as this staining is limited to the fur right at the corner of the eyes and is not very noticeable until you are extremely close. However, when you have a puppy, it will be obvious.
Few dog owners purchase Tear Stain Wipes to clear up these stains, they also tend to use tear stain soft chews to prevent discharge. This is one possible expense you need to consider before getting a Maltipoo.
The Puppy might Change Colors
You have to be prepared for the possibility that your Maltipoo will look very different as he or she ages. This is common amongst nearly all Maltipoos, as color fading is very common in this breed.
Separation Anxiety
Maltipoos have a more sensitive temperament, this also makes them sensitive to sudden environmental changes. This makes your dog prone to separation anxiety. If you are someone who takes a lot of trips for a prolonged time, it is something you should consider before taking the next steps.
Say your dog has been living with you for a year, if you decided to go on a trip and leave him at some pet hotel, there are chances your dog might be traumatized due to your long absence, as the dog won’t be looking at any familiar faces. When you go on trips, make sure you leave your dog with someone they know.
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